Seoul Railway Network Hindered by 'Yeta', Issues Discussed at Expert Forum

Autonomous Districts Facing Preliminary Feasibility Study Challenges, Experts Attend

On the 7th, Seoulga held a grand forum at the Korea Press Center on the theme of 'Seoul Railway Network, Why Is It Difficult to Pass the Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS)?' to improve the preliminary feasibility study system.

The PFS is a system that verifies and evaluates the preliminary feasibility of financial projects such as roads and railways. The 'Sinbundang Line Northwest Extension,' 'Gangbuk Transversal Line,' 'Mokdong Line,' 'Nangok Line,' and 'Myeonmok Line' are representative cases where projects have been delayed due to the preliminary feasibility study.

This forum reviewed the current status of the PFS and discussed the expansion of Seoul's railway network and economic feasibility evaluation. It concluded with two thematic presentations, designated discussions by eight panelists from academia, media, and citizens, and a Q&A session.

Kim Gibong, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Balanced Development Policy Division, analyzed the current PFS evaluation system and diagnosed the problems of the PFS system under the theme 'Seoul Railway Network, Why Is It Difficult to Pass the PFS?' He also emphasized the necessity of expanding Seoul's railway network. He suggested that the PFS standards for Seoul and the metropolitan area should differ so that the railway network can be densely expanded from the perspective of transportation welfare.

Professor Kim Junghwa of Kyonggi University presented 'Improvement Plans for Economic Feasibility Evaluation Items Reflecting the Characteristics of the Urban Core Area,' specifically analyzing the economic feasibility evaluation items among the PFS evaluation sections and proposing improvement plans. The presentation included improving existing evaluation items from various perspectives such as urban competitiveness and transportation accessibility.

About 80 people, including local district governments facing difficulties in passing the PFS, academia, experts, media, and citizens, attended the forum. Eleven districts participated from the local governments, including Gwanak, Dongdaemun, Dongjak, Seodaemun, Seongbuk, Yangcheon, Eunpyeong, Jongno, Jungnang, Gangseo, and Yeongdeungpo.

The forum was chaired by Lee Segu, Director of the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, with Professors Kim Junghwa of Kyonggi University, Kim Jooyoung of Korea National University of Transportation, Park Hyun of the University of Seoul, and Lee Deokju of Seoul National University participating as academic experts on the discussion panel.

Yeo Jangkwon, Head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Balanced Development Headquarters, said, "Railway projects with significant ripple effects in terms of balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk, such as the Sinbundang Line Northwest Extension, have not been able to overcome the PFS barrier for more than 10 years, causing great dissatisfaction among citizens." He added, "The current PFS system is not suitable as a project evaluation tool for Seoul's urban competitiveness or balanced development of underdeveloped areas. I hope constructive alternatives will be derived through passionate discussions among experts from various fields."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.